75 replies to this topic

[Holden West]

I would also note that pay raises were essentially dumped on this council by the previous one. And yes, some of the members of this council are the same, but a bunch aren't.

Yes, but at least one of the newcomers, Lucas, is happy about the raise and is even clamouring for more. Instead of griping, the newcomers could demonstrate their disgust with their new paycheque by donating a portion to the VibrantVictoria brewpub investigation squad.

[G-Man]

^Hey get back off-topic! j/k!

[Holden West]

Councillors take care of themselves

Times-Colonist
December 16, 2008

As a small business owner, I'm appalled at the new Victoria city council's preoccupation of taking care of self.

At a time when many in our community are worried about their jobs, we have a mayor who is angling for a 31 per cent increase in salary and his councillors looking for a 49 per cent increase. On top of this, we get a rookie councillor who now want to be part of the city's extended benefits package; they are not content with the package available through the Union of B.C. Municipalities (where they actually have to pay for their benefits).

For councillors Philippe Lucas and Sonya Chandler, their preoccupation is to look after themselves, saddle up to the public trough and ride the gravy train.

As a taxpayer, my advice to the mayor and council is to show some leadership. For Lucas and Chandler, it is that a city councillor is a part-time service; go get a full-time job, provide for your families and stop expecting the public to pay your way.

For the taxpayers, remember these people for what they are and don't make the same mistake at the next election.

Jim Reed

Victoria
© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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Why don't we all pledge to give $5 a month to the Keep Sonya and Phillipe Cavity-Free Fund? That way they don't have to ride the coattails of the union-negotiated medical/dental plan.

[mat]

Staying fashionably off-topic... I do agree with you about escorts. Sometimes just knowing there is someone ot walk you to your car can make a women feel less vulnerable. Maybe a new volunteer position under the umbrella of the arts orgs.

I also see more private security downtown now. Does anyone know if they are city employed - or hired by private businesses? And is it just daytime or 24 hours. Do they walk people to their cars if asked - or just cover the property/area to which they are assigned?

Interesting - the title of this thread is Councilor Pay Raises & State of Victoria, which implies a whole bunch of potential topics!

All posts regarding downtown security have been moved to a new thread here - and this thread has been re-titled.

[Sue Woods]

Why don't we all pledge to give $5 a month to the Keep Sonya and Phillipe Cavity-Free Fund? That way they don't have to ride the coattails of the union-negotiated medical/dental plan.

That would take care of their dental health - but what about their "wellness". Maybe a massage therapist on staff.

[Holden West]

That would take care of their dental health - but what about their "wellness". Maybe a massage therapist on staff.

Isn't that what medical marijuana is for?

[mat]

^Isn't that what medical marijuana is for?

I just snorted coffee through my nose reading that! Lovely!!! All councilors should receive City subsidized bongs - imagine how much fun council meetings would be.

[Holden West]

I used to smoke a bowl with Bea and Helen.

[Sue Woods]

Isn't that what medical marijuana is for?

Madoff takes the cake (brownie) for saying she likes how Lucas "framed the issue" as a health and well-being issue as opposed to a salary issue. It is most certainly about money - theirs.

Wonder if the pay hike and med/dental plan thing will be voted down on Thursday. Would be a good political move if they postponed increases to review again in a year - given current realities.

[Holden West]

All councilors should receive City subsidized bongs - imagine how much fun council meetings would be.

It would be like this:

Councillor A: "Why do we say "homeless"? We should say "lesshome" because a tent is less of a home but it's still a home".

Councillor B: "Totally. And we could call it "lesshomeness" instead of homelessness. Say it out loud. Heh.

[three hours later...]

Councillor C: "Remember Les Nessman from WKRP?"

Councillor D: "Heh".

Councillor A: "Is there, like, a motion on the floor?"

[mat]

Madoff takes the cake (brownie) for saying she likes how Lucas "framed the issue" as a health and well-being issue as opposed to a salary issue. It is most certainly about money - theirs.

Wonder if the pay hike and med/dental plan thing will be voted down on Thursday. Would be a good political move if they postponed increases to review again in a year - given current realities.

In complete agreement with you on this. We should have a published City financial report, with a complete disclosure on the state of investments and bond issues before any salary rise for council and mayor. I would approve the projected rise if the current financial picture, and future projections, were better - but we are getting daily reports other municipalities in the US and Europe (not sure about Canada) in bond defaults, and investment funds tanking.

This morning our erstwhile PM actually mentioned the 'D' word in an interview - if the Federal Government is now projecting extended negative growth (idiots should have known this since October), then it is ludicrous for for the City to add new salary expenses to Council, when it is likely there will be a hiring freeze, or even layoffs as the situation gets worse.

As for dental/medical plan - puhleeeaase.

[mat]

It would be like this:

Councillor A: "Why do we say "homeless"? We should say "lesshome" because a tent is less of a home but it's still a home".

Councillor B: "Totally. And we could call it "lesshomeness" instead of homelessness. Say it out loud. Heh.

[three hours later...]

Councillor C: "Remember Les Nessman from WKRP?"

Councillor D: "Heh".

Councillor A: "Is there, like, a motion on the floor?"

Councillor D: "or is the floor in motion? - I'm kinda dizzy, whoopee"

The Mayor: "Like wow, totally, far out...where were we"

Question from the floor: "In light of the new Vancouver Mayor and the Premier announcing today 200 new shelter beds for the Downtown Eastside, largely through provincial funding, what are Council's plans for approaching the relevant Ministries for an equivalent initiative for Victoria"

Councillor C: "Yeah, well, man, we, like, sent a letter - and asked for, like, tents, or something"

Mayor: "I propose a motion" (does something rude with his hands) - passes out.

[G-Man]

I can't help but hear the whole conversation as said by Leo from That 70's Show (Tommy Chong)

[mat]

I can't help but hear the whole conversation as said by Leo from That 70's Show (Tommy Chong)

With Tom Petty's "Roll another Joint" playing in the background

Love it when we get silly on VV

[victorian fan]

That's a refeer to me...............Dude.

[Sue Woods]

Councillor D: "or is the floor in motion? - I'm kinda dizzy, whoopee"
The Mayor: "Like wow, totally, far out...where were we"
Question from the floor: "In light of the new Vancouver Mayor and the Premier announcing today 200 new shelter beds for the Downtown Eastside, largely through provincial funding, what are Council's plans for approaching the relevant Ministries for an equivalent initiative for Victoria"
Councillor C: "Yeah, well, man, we, like, sent a letter - and asked for, like, tents, or something"
Mayor: "I propose a motion" (does something rude with his hands) - passes out.

All you guys are hilarious.

[Sue Woods]

In complete agreement with you on this. We should have a published City financial report, with a complete disclosure on the state of investments and bond issues before any salary rise for council and mayor.

Mat - Any thoughts if there will be a debate - or just a rubber stamp?

This is the first I've heard that the PM used the "d" word today. Yikes.

[mat]

I doubt there will be any debate - this is a motion before council and they have the right to affirm, postpone, or reject. Certainly it is being debated internally - especially if any of them read VV!

The city managers, Mayor and council should be looking very seriously at 6 month to 2 year financial projections. This is the Globe reporting on Harper's statement today.

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper has delivered his bleakest forecast yet for the Canadian economy, warning yesterday the future is increasingly hard to read and conceding the possibility of a depression.

"The truth is, I've never seen such uncertainty in terms of looking forward to the future," the Prime Minister told CTV News in Halifax.

"I'm very worried about the Canadian economy."

When asked whether a depression might be possible, he answered:

‘The truth is, I've never seen such uncertainty in terms of looking forward to the future,’ Prime Minister Stephen Harper says. (The Canadian Press)

"It could be, but I think we've learned enough about depression; we've learned enough from the 1930s to avoid some of the mistakes that caused a recession in 1929 to become a depression in the 1930s."

A recession is often defined as two consecutive quarters of shrinking economic output.

The definition of a depression is less established, but is considered to be a prolonged recession where output declines by more than 10 per cent.

The BC Liberals have a habit of projecting low revenues, then announcing record surpluses with the implied 'look how wonderful we are'. Harper and Flaherty always avoided speculation (one of the ONLY media policies I appreciate from Harper). So to have our PM today prepare Canadians for a technical depression is remarkable - Harper is a supreme communication controller, nothing out of the PMO, or any Ministry, is allowed until vetted.

My feeling is that Victoria is months behind the real economic effect being felt in the east, but we are quickly catching up. All councillors will have to become instant economists to determine what the local fallout will be - tax revenues down, more homeless, planning for a sewage system that will cost $100's of millions etc.

I have yet to see any media report on City finances.

[Ms. B. Havin]

I have yet to see any media report on City finances.

That would mean having a media worthy of the name to do said local reporting. Canwest <kof, kof>...

<crickets chirping>

[yodsaker]

That's a refeer to me...............Dude.

Don't bogart that joint, my friend, pass it over to me....